Following Kutty Radhika’s footsteps, another Kannada beauty makes her debut in Tamil- Lakshmi Rao. Not even a single film of hers has been released yet, but she has already managed to sign up three new ones.

Lakshmi Rao’s father is a businessman. He owns almost a dozen liquor shops in Bangalore. So, why did she have to come into films?

'When I was in my Class XII, I had participated in the ‘Ms Belgaum’ beauty contest and had won the title. I then began doing some modeling assignments. Films happened soon afterwards- the Kannada film ‘Valmiki’ with Shivrajkumar. After seeing the film, director RV Udayakumar had signed me up for his new film ‘Karka Kasadara’.'

Lakshmi Rao is not just a glamour doll. She had learnt acting from the Mumbai-based Padmini School of Acting. 

Even before the release of ‘Karka Kasadara’, she had been offered films like ‘Kalakkal’ and ‘Kurukkezhuthu’. My roles are very good in both these films. My friends saw my pictures in the magazines and called me up to congratulate me. I’m very happy about it.'

She had discontinued her bachelor degree in Biochemistry. 'My sole priority is acting,' she announces. 

So, what is she going to concentrate on- acting or glamour?

'I’m going to pick only those roles that give equal importance to acting and glamour. I know very well that if you don’t balance the two, you will be out of the field soon.'

Here is one newcomer who knows the industry very well! Father’s business knack, we suppose!